Ranchi University (RU) established its ‘global recognition’ in coordination with Australia’s Newcastle University in June 2013 wherein it was supposed to sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the latter of this year for various “exchange programmes”. Unfortunately, RU authorities are “undecided” on when to show interest for this collaboration stating “technical glitches” for the delay.
“The MoU involves exchange programmes for teachers and students. It is essential to have knowledge on Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Our students are not capable for this respective course since majority of them are not computer savvy. Every student in Newcastle University is accustomed of using laptop during classes and at home. They are even in touch with their teachers round the clock through e-mails. So, we are planning to consider teaching cum research programmes,” RU Vice Chancellor (VC) Dr lN Bhagat said.
He added, “Presently, we are not in a position to decide the tentative date when I would visit Newcastle University for signing this MoU. Consultation with Pro-VC and Registrar is required for the final decision.”
However, Bhagat indicated that teachers from Anthropology, Master
of Business Management, Master of Computer Applications, Geology and Journalism are expected to be recommended for this purpose.
“Newcastle University people had visited only the mentioned departments so we might focus on these departments in particular,” Bhagat maintained.
On the other side, Newcastle University faculty in an email to The Pioneer had replied, “A preliminary visit between the two institutions revealed a number of areas for potential partnership with science and information technology set to be one of the first. The University looks forward to working with this new international partner to drive our mutual research success and global reputations.”
RU’s second cum last initiation with a foreign university last year was related to a special scholarship programme organised by European Union Consortium named Erasmus Mundus.
RU Chemistry department faculty dealing this programme said, “The programme is titled ‘Namaste India-EU Mobility Project’ wherein students had to apply for different levels of higher education till February 16. We are unable to disclose the data of students who applied for this project.”
Notably, RU is known to be the only state university among the 11 Indian institutions selected under Namaste project.